der
Hinterkopf
🧠 What Exactly is 'der Hinterkopf'?
Der Hinterkopf (masculine) refers to the back part of the human head, opposite the forehead (die Stirn). It's the area covering the occipital lobe of the brain.
Example: Er lehnte sich zurück und stützte den Hinterkopf in die Hände. (He leaned back and supported the back of his head in his hands.)
There are no different meanings based on the article, as 'Hinterkopf' always uses 'der'.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-pf → always masculine.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Declining 'der Hinterkopf'
The noun 'Hinterkopf' is masculine. Here is its declension:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | der | Hinterkopf |
| Genitive (Whose?) | des | Hinterkopf(e)s |
| Dative (To whom/What?) | dem | Hinterkopf(e) |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | den | Hinterkopf |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Hinterköpfe |
| Genitive | der | Hinterköpfe |
| Dative | den | Hinterköpfen |
| Accusative | die | Hinterköpfe |
Example Sentences
- Der Ball traf ihn am Hinterkopf. (The ball hit him on the back of the head. - Accusative Singular)
- Die Form des Hinterkopfes ist bei jedem Menschen leicht unterschiedlich. (The shape of the back of the head is slightly different for every person. - Genitive Singular)
- Er spürte einen leichten Schmerz am Hinterkopf. (He felt a slight pain on the back of his head. - Dative Singular)
- Alle Hinterköpfe waren auf die Bühne gerichtet. (All the backs of the heads were directed towards the stage. - Nominative Plural)
💡 Everyday Use: When to Use 'der Hinterkopf'?
The term 'Hinterkopf' is mainly used in the following contexts:
- Anatomy/Medicine: To describe the body part, e.g., in case of injuries ("eine Beule am Hinterkopf" - a bump on the back of the head).
- Everyday Language: To describe position ("Er saß mit dem Rücken zu mir, ich sah nur seinen Hinterkopf." - He sat with his back to me, I only saw the back of his head.).
- Idiomatic Expressions:
- Etwas im Hinterkopf behalten: To keep something in mind, not forget it, even if it's not currently the focus. ("Behalte die Deadline im Hinterkopf!" - Keep the deadline in the back of your mind!)
- Augen im Hinterkopf haben: To notice everything, even things happening behind one's back (often metaphorical). ("Die Lehrerin scheint Augen im Hinterkopf zu haben." - The teacher seems to have eyes in the back of her head.)
- Sich am Hinterkopf kratzen: A sign of puzzlement or thought. (To scratch the back of one's head.)
It's a very specific word and rarely confused with others, as long as you can distinguish 'hinten' (behind) from 'vorne' (front, e.g., die Stirn - forehead).
🗝️ Mnemonics and Memory Aids
For the Article: Think of "der Kopf" (the head). Since the Hinterkopf is part of der Kopf, it takes the same article: der Kopf -> der Hinterkopf.
For the Meaning: The word is a compound: "hinter" (behind) + "Kopf" (head). So, literally the part of the head that is behind. Very logical!
🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Kopfhinterseite: Very direct, descriptive (back side of the head).
- Hinterhaupt: More technical term (medical/anatomical) for occiput.
- Okziput: Latin technical term (rare in everyday language).
⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse it with 'Nacken' (nape/neck)! The 'Nacken' is the part of the neck below the 'Hinterkopf'.
😂 A Little Joke
DE: Warum haben Glatzköpfige keine Schuppen am Hinterkopf?
Weil man auf einer Rutsche schlecht rodeln kann!
EN: Why don't bald people have dandruff on the back of their head?
Because you can't sled well on a slide! (This is a pun: 'Schuppen' can mean dandruff or sheds/shingles, and 'rodeln' is sledding. It plays on the image of a bald head being smooth like a slide).
✍️ A Poem About the Word
DE:
Die Stirn zeigt klar, was vorne ist,
doch was verbirgt des Schädels Frist?
Wo Haare oft im Wirbel steh'n,
kann man den Hinterkopf erseh'n.
Man kratzt sich dort bei Grübelein,
und denkt: „Was mag die Lösung sein?“
Drum halt ihn kühl und stets bereit,
für jede neue, kluge Zeit.
EN:
The forehead clearly shows what's front,
but what hides in the skull's haunt?
Where hair often stands in a swirl,
one can glimpse the Hinterkopf unfurl.
You scratch it there when thoughts are deep,
and think: "What answer can I keep?"
So keep it cool and always ready,
for every new, insightful study.
🤔 Who Am I? A Riddle
DE:
Ich bin Teil deines Haupts, doch seh' ich nie dein Gesicht.
Wenn du nachdenkst, kratzt du mich vielleicht.
Die Augen haben mich nie direkt erblickt,
obwohl ich oft mit Haaren bin geschmückt.
Wer bin ich? ... Der Hinterkopf
EN:
I am part of your head, but I never see your face.
When you ponder, you might scratch my space.
Your eyes have never directly seen me,
though often I'm adorned with hair, you agree.
Who am I? ... The back of the head (Der Hinterkopf)
🧩 Other Interesting Details
Word Composition
The word 'Hinterkopf' is a compound noun, composed of:
- hinter: Preposition/adverb describing position (behind).
- Kopf: Noun meaning head.
So, the composition is very transparent, accurately describing the location of the body part.
Cultural Notes
In some cultures, touching someone's Hinterkopf is considered disrespectful. In German, the idiom "jemandem eins hinter die Ohren geben" (to give someone one behind the ears) means to give a light slap on the side or back of the head, often figuratively implying a reprimand or (jokingly) punishment.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Hinterkopf?
The German word "Hinterkopf" is always masculine. The correct article is der: der Hinterkopf (singular) and die Hinterköpfe (plural). It translates to the back of the head.